Tamper-Evident Closure for A Box with Alarm Sensor

ABSTRACT

The subject innovation provides a tamper-evident closure of a box with alarm sensor providing a latch with at least one side flap and an opening wherein the width of the opening, is smaller than the width of the latch and the expandable at least one side flap; wherein the at least one side flap is foldable prior insertion into the opening; wherein the at least one side flap is expandable after insertion into the opening; and wherein the latch and/or at least one side flap are provided with at least one layer of an electrical conducting material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371, this application is the United States National Stage Application of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2010/064925, filed on Oct. 6, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein, which claims priority to European (EP) Patent Application No. 0901 3286.1, filed Oct. 21, 2009, and to European (EP) Patent Application No. 0901 3291.1, filed Oct. 21, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

According to the prior art, folding boxes are known which comprise a tamper-evident closure, wherein the closure must be glued during the final assembly of the folding box. Alternatively, folding boxes are provided with an adhesive label or sealed by thermoplastic adhesive gluing. In the case that boxes are individually packed due to customer requests, additional steps for gluing the closure prolong the final assembly process and make the shipment more expensive. Hence, there is a need for a box provided with a tamper-evident closure without adhesive.

SUMMARY

The subject innovation relates to a tamper-evident closure of a box with alarm sensor providing a latch with at least one side flap, and an opening.

The subject innovation may provide a tamper-evident closure for a box which only can be opened by mechanically damaging the packing material and may provide an alarm after damaging.

The subject innovation may relate to a tamper-evident closure of a box with alarm sensor providing a latch with at least one side flap and an opening

-   -   wherein the width of the opening is smaller than the width of         the latch and the expandable at least one side flap;     -   wherein the at least one side flap is foldable prior insertion         into the opening;     -   wherein the at least one side flap is expandable after insertion         into the opening; and     -   wherein the latch and at least one side flap are provided with         at least one layer of an electrical conducting material.

The subject innovation may provide a box with at least one tamper-evident closure with alarm sensor including a first latch and a second latch and at least one opening, wherein the closure of the box can be mechanically closed without the need for gluing, and the closure can be opened only by destroying the original tamper-evident closure, wherein the box comprises

-   -   a first latch with at least one side flap;     -   a first opening of the box for inserting the first latch;     -   wherein the at least one side flap of the first latch is         foldable; and     -   wherein the at least one side flap is expandable after inserting         the side flap through the first opening into the inside of the         box due to the intrinsic elasticity of the material; and     -   wherein the first latch and at least one side flap are provided         with at least one layer of an electrical conducting material.

Alternatively the latch or at least one side flap is provided with at least one layer of an electrical conducting material.

The subject innovation may provide a box with a tamper-evident closure. The closing mechanism provides an irreversible process of expansion of some side flaps of insertion latches once on closure inserted into the folding box. Due to irreversibility of the tamper-evident closure, the reopening of the box can merely occur by visibly damaging the packing material. Further, the combination of several latches also provides a high stiffness of the paperboard material at the closure.

Thus, a tool i.e. knifes or scissors are needed to open the latches. As a result unauthorised opening e.g. during the periods of transport or storing, will become difficult and will be apparent. If the break line of a first and/or second latch and the respective side providing an electrical conducting layer are broken or torn off, the change of electrical properties is sensed and an alarm is annunciated. Nevertheless, the tamper-evident closure may be closed with just manual folding of the side flaps of the latches during insertion of the latches into provided openings of the folding box. Thus, the originality of transported and packed goods, e.g. in case of providing a special quality or service to the customer can be guaranteed, if the box is evidently undamaged.

In an exemplary embodiment, the latch is made of a piece of material with an intrinsic elasticity comprising rubber, metal or a plastic material. In another exemplary embodiment, the piece of material with an intrinsic elasticity is paperboard. Advantageously, the elasticity of the material allows the expanding of the side flaps of the latches inside the box. A combination of several elastic materials or inelastic and elastic materials may be chosen. The choice of the elasticity of the materials and the shape of the side flaps for supporting the particular property of elasticity depends on the properties of expandability, favourable for achieving the irreversibility of the tamper-evident closure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the layer of an electrical conducting may be paint (colour), ink and/or film. Advantageously, the layer may be paint (colour) and/or ink, which is merely painted onto the latch and the at least one side flap. Several manners of painting or printing of the electrical conduction layer on material e.g. blank is well known. As an example, the painted layer might be a layer of silver or copper covered with a covering coat. Also, graphite layers may be applied as paint or may be printed. The film might be an adhesive conductive film.

In an exemplary embodiment, the layer is connectable to an actuator. Advantageously, the actuator is an electrical circuit like a sensor device for sensing the change of electrical properties of the electrical layer. Also, further devices like an alarm annunciation device or a combination of sensing device and alarm annunciation device may be comprised as an actuator.

In an exemplary embodiment, the layer and/or actuator is a RFID transponder and/or an alarm annunciation device. Advantageously, the actuator is an electrical circuit which sensing changes in the electrical properties of the electrical conduction layer, storing changes or provides an alarm at a sensor device which triggers an alarm annunciation device, e.g. a horn, a loudspeaker, a flashlight or even a signal to a transponder or transmitter, e.g. the RFID transponder or any other device that serves for announcing an alarm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one side flap of the first latch provides a break line along a folding line, for allowing that the first time the box is opened, the side flap cooperates with the box side walls and is torn off at the predetermined break line when the side flap is moved beyond the tearing edge.

Advantageously, the side flap may be torn off, once the box is opened. In some applications of tamper-evident closures, the mere fact that the closure has once been opened is crucial, but the opening should be easy to handle, the break lines may support the opening, by pulling the latch and coincidentally provide information of the originality of the closure.

In an exemplary embodiment of the subject innovation, the at least one side flap is provided with a rounded corner in the area of the folding line and that a latch is provided with at least a rounded edge in the area of the folding line in order to allow a smooth insertion when the side flaps are foldable adjacent towards the centre of the particular first or second latch.

At least part of the side flap and particular latch may be made of an electric conducting material crossing the break line in order to allow triggering an alarm when at least one side flap is being torn off the particular latch, while breaking the tamper-evident closure. Advantageously, an alarming may be connected to the closure, for allowing, that and when the closure of the box has been broken.

The opening may provide a height dimension which is at least as high as the material thickness of the latch and the foldable side flap.

In an exemplary embodiment, the width of the opening is at least the width of the latch main body and at least smaller than the overall width of the at least one side flap and the latch main body.

In an exemplary embodiment, the opening provides a height dimension which is at least as high as the material thickness of the latch and the foldable side flap.

In an exemplary embodiment, the box is provided with

-   -   a second latch with at least one side flap;     -   a second opening in the first latch for inserting the second         latch;     -   wherein the at least one side flap of the first latch is         foldable;     -   wherein the at least one side flap is expandable after inserting         the flap through the first opening into the inside of the box         due to the intrinsic elasticity of the material; and     -   wherein second latch and at least one side flap are provided         with at least one layer of an electrical conducting material.

Alternatively, the second latch or at least one side flap may be provided with at least one layer of an electrical conducting material.

In an exemplary embodiment, a blank for folding the box is designed as a single piece of material, comprising all of the flaps and latches cited.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one side flap of the second latch is securing the first latch of the tamper-evident closure by interlocking.

Advantageously, the interlocking provides an additional security against unauthorised opening of the box. Also, it provides more mechanical stiffness of the closure of the box.

In an exemplary embodiment, the dimensions of the second latch is at least smaller than the dimensions of the first latch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the exemplary embodiments described hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is a view of a paperboard blank;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first and second latch providing side flaps;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the folded box folding the first latch;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view on the folded box folding the second latch with side flaps into the first latch;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inside of the folded box on the interlocking first and second latch with expanded side flaps;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inside of the box with the first latch provided with a RFID transponder; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the inside of the box with the first latch provided with a layer of electrical conductive, material, and a sensor device with wires in communication to the electrical conducting layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The box 300 according to the subject innovation provides a package sealed with a tamper-evident closure for transporting of physical mail object in particular for goods of high value or quality.

FIG. 1 shows a box 300 in form of a paperboard blank 100 according to the subject innovation.

The box 300 provides several insertion tabs, latches and flaps, which are folded together in a kind of self-explanatory way for easily forming a universal transport box, e.g., for the transportation of physical mailing goods or other physical objects.

This exemplary embodiment of the subject innovation provides a first latch 107 and a second latch 104 each provided with side flaps 108, 108′ in the case of the first latch 107, and side flaps 106, 106′ in the case of the second latch 104. The latches 107, 104 and the side flaps 108, 108′, 106, 106′ are provided with a layer of electrical conducting material. The material may be paint (colour) or ink, which are painted or printed on the material. The layer may also be a film or a foil of an electrical conducting material.

The first latch 107 is made of one piece of paperboard, which is cut out as one piece of the paperboard blank 100. The first latch 107 provides an opening adjacent to the folding line of the first latch 107 which is in particular one third of the latch gauge in the area of the folding line 117. However the second opening 113 is at least as broad as the gauge of the second latch 104, in order to receive the second latch 104 with folded side flaps 106, 106′ inside the box after entering through the first opening 111.

The second latch 104 is made of one piece of paperboard, which is at least partly cut out as one piece of the paperboard blank 100. The second latch 104 provides two openings adjacent to the folding line 127 on either side of the latch. When the box 300 is being assembled the cut out of the second latch 104 together with the adjacent parts of the first opening 111 form one first opening 111, which is in particular at least as broad as the width of the first latch 107, in order to receive the first latch 107 with side flaps 108, 108′ in folded state inside the box 300 after entering through the first opening 111.

The first and second latch 107, 104 are provided with both an interior side and an exterior side. The exterior side is equally the exterior side of the folded paper box 300 and the opposite side to the exterior side is defined as the interior side.

FIG. 3 shows a partly folded box 300 with a hinged lid 305, about to be closed by inserting the first latch 107 into the first opening 111 at the front face of the box 300. Prior insertion of the first latch 107 of the paperboard material has to be folded at the folding line 117 in a rectangular manner at the middle of the first latch 107, adjacent to the second opening 113, providing second latch 104 in form of a preferably round capped head type part to be inserted and a latch main body. The term latch main body indicates the body of the latch without the additional side flaps. The first latch 107 is provided two side flaps 108, 108′ which are folded towards the centre of the interior side of the first latch 107 as implied by the curved arrows 301, 301′ into a folded position as indicated in dashed lines. Then the box 300 is closed by folding the hinged lid 305 and inserting the first latch 107 into the first opening 111 in step 303.

Once inserted into the first opening 111 the side flaps 108, 108′ of the first latch 107 will expand inside the box 300, because of the intrinsic elasticity forces of the paperboard material. In order to allow an expanding, a cavity or some space will be provided inside the box 300 to allow the expanding of the side flaps 108, 108′ of the first latch 107.

FIG. 4 shows the way to fold the side flaps 106, 106′ of the second latch 104 toward the interior side of the second latch 104. Further the second latch 104 is folded at the folding line 127 in preferably the middle of the second latch 104.

The second latch 104 is now inserted into the second opening 113, which is now adjacent to the first opening 111 and the folding line 127 of the hinged lid 305 of the box 300. After insertion the second latch 104 provides a smooth and flat surface of the box 300. The side flaps 106, 106′ once entering the inside of the box 300, will expand due to the intrinsic elasticity of the material. Some space in the environment of the side flaps of the first and second latch 107, 104 has to be reserved for expanding the side flaps 108, 108′, 106, 106′ inside the box 300.

Once first latch 107 with its side flaps 108, 108′ is inserted into the box 300 via the expansion of the side latches 108, 108′ the first latch 107 is providing an interlock with the box 300 material surrounding the first opening 111. Once the first latch 107 has been inserted, the expansion of the side flaps 108, 108′ is irreversible, because the user cannot act on reversing the expansion of the side flaps 108, 108′ in the interior of the box 300. Hence, the first latch 107 cannot be extracted of its position. Thus, the box 300 cannot be reopened by simply extracting the first latch 107 through the first opening 111. The side flaps 108, 108′ will provide a mechanical shear force on the side walls of the box 300 when pulling back the first latch 107. If the user will try to reopen the box 300 by simply extracting the first latch 107, he will either tear off the side flaps 108, 108′ of the first latch 107, or he will damage the sidewalls of the folding box 300. Also, via some tools like a pair of scissors or a knife, it would be not possible to reverse the expansion the side flaps 108, 108′ of the first latch 107. The only way to be open the box 300 is to either damage either the sidewalls or the latches of the box 300 in order to open up the first opening 111, thus that the side flaps 108, 108′ of the first latch 107 with the possible to pass the opening, all by clearing of the side flaps 108, 108′ or by damaging the first latch 107.

In any of the aforementioned cases, the tamper-evident closure will be destroyed or some damage will be made to the outside of the box 300, which is recognizable and easily visible from a distance.

FIG. 5 shows the expanded side flaps 108, 108′ of the first latch 107 and the side flaps 106, 106′ of the second latch 104 expanded inside the box 300. As well the interlocking of the first latch 107 and the second latch 104 is schematically shown. As described before concerning the first latch 107, the second latch 104, with its side flaps 106, 106′ is interlocking the first latch 107. As mentioned above in case that the user will try to reopen the box 300 by simply extracting the second latch 104, either the side flaps 106, 106′ of the second latch 104 will be torn off, or the first latch 107 and the sidewalls of the box 300 will be damaged.

Using the interlocking between the first latch 107 which is rectangular to the second latch 104, and the latter, the mechanical forces to pull one of the latches in order to open the box 300 need to be rather high. Further the material of the latches reinforces the paperboard material in the closure area, hence, the forces to be injected by reopening need to be rather high.

Thus, it is not possible to reopen the box 300 by just pulling one of the two latches. The use of a tool e.g. a knife or a pair of scissors for damaging the sidewalls of the box 300 or cutting the latches is necessary. The damaged on the box 300 are visible, obvious to recognize even from a distance.

In one exemplary embodiment, both the latches 107, 104 and the side flaps 108, 108′, 106, 106′ are provided with rounded caps in order to achieve a more easy insertion of the respective first latch 107 or second latch 104 into the respective opening on the folding box 300.

The material for providing such an intrinsic elasticity may not only be limited to paperboard or corrugated board. There is a choice of materials coming into the mind of the person of skill in the art which provides an intrinsic elasticity which can be used to design latches with suitable elastic expansion side flaps. A choice of these materials may be any kind of plastic material, metal, rubber, etc.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the subject innovation with a RFID transponder 610 provided across the first latch 107 and the side flaps 108, 108′. In this exemplary embodiment, the RFID transponder 610 is disposed across the folding line of the first latch 107 and the side flaps 108, 108′. The break lines 125, 125′ if the first latch 107 is pulled out of the box 300 and the side flaps 108, 108′ will be mechanically thorn off when the first latch 108 crosses the tearing edge of the first opening 111. In this exemplary embodiment, the RFID transponder 610 will be damaged, thereby of the electrical properties of the RFID transponder 610 are being changed. In this particular case, the damage of the RFID transponder 610 leads to alteration of the resonance frequency. Hence, the RFID transponder 610 cannot be received any more form outside on its particular duty frequency. A transponder system situated outside of the box 300 may recognize the failing of the response of the RFID transponder 610 at the original resonance frequency due to the damaging of the first latch 107 and the side flaps 108, 108′, and thus will send out an alarm for example to a dispatcher, a mobile communication device, an alarm annunciation device or any other alarming centre.

Additionally, further in one exemplary embodiment, the site flaps may not only be provided with break lines in order to be torn off, further carrier material for example paperboard could be provided with a layer of an electrical conducting material, which will provide an electrical connection between the latch and the side flaps. Providing mechanical stress by pulling the latch in order to shear off the side flaps at the break line, an electrical conductor will be disrupted. This could lead to the interruption of an electrical circuit which itself for providing an automatic remote or local alarm of a security system inside the box.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the latch 107 and the two side flaps 108, 108′, which are provided with an electrical conducting layer on the interior of the side flaps 108, 108′, and the first latch 107, wherein the electrical conducting layer is crossing the break lines 125, 125′. In this exemplary embodiment, the electrical conducting layer is contacted with two physical wires 720, 720′, which may also be disposed on the paperboard blank 100 as printed wires or layer of electrical conducting material. The wires are connected to the sensor device 710 which detects electrical properties of an electrical conducting layer disposed on the side flaps 108, 108′ and first latch 107. For example, if the second latch 107 will be pulled out of its position the side flaps 108, 108′ will be torn off the first latch 107 when being pulled beyond a tearing edge, the electrical circuit between the wires 720, 720′ and the electric conducting layer will be interrupted, thus the sensor device 710 will detect the interruption of the electrical circuit and actuate an annunciation device which then give an alarm in form of visible, audible or a RF signals, which could be registered from the outside of the box 300.

Therefore, the sensor device 710 may be connected to any kind of annunciation device providing audible, visible or any other kind of alarm. Further the alarm may be an alarm transmitted per high frequency fields. The annunciator may also be a HF transmitter transmitting an alarm actively or a RFID transponder 610 which transmissions enclose status information, providing an alarming status, which can be received form the outside, transmitting a requesting signal to the RFID transponder 610.

Further, the layer of electrical conduction material may be a RFID transponder 610 which is provided as an electrical conduction layer on the latches 107,104 and the side flaps 108, 108′, 106, 106′, and which is damaged when the latches are removed when the latches and/or the side flaps 108, 108′, 106, 106′ are cut or damaged. The changing properties of the electrical conductor are influencing the radio frequency properties of the RFID transponder 610. The RFID transponder 610 with different electrical or operational properties can easily be determined.

Also, the combination of the above materials without the material for example by providing an inflexible material for that match and a highly flexible material like rather for the sites that may come into the mind of the person skilled in the art.

Further, the site flaps 108, 108′, 106, 106′ may in particular be formed in order to have a break line 115, 115′, 125, 125′ which will be very easy to be torn-off, by pulling the respective latch out of the respective opening 111, 113 of the box 300. The torn-off side flaps 108, 108′, 106, 106′ of the respective latch 107, 104 will then be left over in the inside of the box 300. The break lines 115, 115′, 125, 125′ can be realised by grooves in the material, with perforation or by cutting the material along the folding line adjacent to the respective latch 107, 104. Further the material of the site flaps 108, 108′, 106, 106′ may be especially shaped for example with notches or cuts, in order fail under excess mechanical stress.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed exemplary embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A tamper-evident closure of a box with alarm sensor, comprising a latch with at least one side flap and an opening, a width of the opening being smaller than a width of the latch and the at least one side flap, the at least one side flap being foldable prior insertion into the opening, the at least one side flap being expandable after insertion into the opening, the latch and the at least one side flap being provided with at least one layer of an electrical conducting material.
 16. The tamper-evident closure recited in claim 15, the latch being made of a piece of material with an intrinsic elasticity comprising rubber, metal or a plastic material.
 17. The tamper-evident closure recited in claim 15, the layer of an electrical conducting material being applied as one or more of a paint, ink or film.
 18. The tamper-evident closure recited in claim 15, the layer being connectable to an actuator.
 19. The tamper-evident closure recited in claim 15, the layer and/or actuator comprising one or more of an RFID transponder or an alarm annunciation device.
 20. The tamper-evident closure recited in claim 15, the at least one side flap of the first latch providing a break line along a folding line, for allowing that a first time the box 300 is opened, the side flap cooperates with side walls of the box and is torn off at the predetermined break line when the side flap is moved beyond the tearing edge.
 21. The tamper-evident closure recited in claim 15, the at least one side flap being provided with a rounded corner in the area of the folding line, a second latch being provided with at least a rounded edge in the area of the folding line in order to allow a smooth insertion when the side flaps are foldable adjacent towards the centre of the first or second latch.
 22. The tamper-evident closure recited in claim 15, at least part of the side flap and particular latch comprising an electric conducting material crossing the break line in order to allow triggering an alarm when at least one side flap is torn off the latch, while breaking the tamper-evident closure.
 23. The tamper-evident closure recited in claim 15, the opening providing a height dimension which is at least as high as a material thickness of the latch and the at least one side flap.
 24. A box with at least one tamper-evident closure with alarm sensor including a first latch and a second latch and at least one opening, a width of the opening being smaller than a width of the first latch and the at least one side flap, the closure of the box being mechanically closed without the need for gluing, the closure being opened only by destroying the original tamper-evident closure, the box comprising: a first latch with at least one side flap, the at least one side flap of the first latch being foldable; a first opening of the box for inserting the first latch; the at least side one side flap being expandable after inserting the side flap through the first opening in the inside of the box due to the intrinsic elasticity of the material; and the first latch and at least one side flap being provided with at least one layer of an electrical conducting material.
 25. The box recited in claim 24, the box comprising: a second latch with at least one side flap, the at least one side flap of the second latch being foldable; a second opening in the first latch for inserting the second latch; the at least one side flap of the second latch being expandable after inserting the flap through the first opening in the inside of the box due to the intrinsic elasticity of the material; and wherein second latch and at least one side flap of the second latch are provided with at least one layer of an electrical conducting material.
 26. The box recited in claim 25, wherein the at least one side flap of the second latch is securing the first latch of the tamper-evident closure by interlocking.
 27. The box recited in claim 25, wherein the dimensions of the second latch are smaller than the dimensions of the first latch.
 28. The box recited in claim 24, wherein a blank for the box is designed as a single piece of material. 